User Reviews

Strengths: Climbs like a goat. Decends like a raped ape. Turns like there's no tomorrow. Point and shoot very nimble through tight stuff.

Weaknesses: Not enough time to ride due to working swing shift.

Bottom Line:

I must have gotten a bike built on a Wednesday. I've had no trouble and after 340 miles of hard ridding something should have broke. Got it at the end of march 2012 as a close out sale for 1600. I did switch the stem for 31mm to a 105mm. What a change that made for the better. The rear tire was changed to a continental mountain king then to a kenda nevgal. Never rode the stock rear. Its my first 29er and no going back. Got rid of 26er parts. The bike is for anyone wit beginer to emid level ridding experiance.

Bike Setup: 145psi both pos and neg on front fork and 240psi for the rear with pro pedal left on. Clip pedals. 35 psi in both tires.

Overall Rating:

Value Rating:

Submitted by
David Reynolds

Date Reviewed: July 14, 2012

Strengths: Geometry and feel of the bike when climbing and decending

Weaknesses: Everything except the frame and geometry

Bottom Line:

I've had this bike for 6 months now and it is by far one of the worst bikes I've ever owned. The frame is great and the overall feel and ride of the bike is wonderful, but the parts spec is awful! The shifting is horrendous, the rear hub failed, the rear pivots are already sloppy, it's left me stranded more than I care to admit to and it's been in the shop getting fixed or repaired for almost 4 weeks of total time. The reason they make you get Trek Red Shield is because you'll have to have it or the repair bills will be so much you'll scrap it. I am getting rid of mine as soon as possible even if I have to take a huge loss. Save your money and buy a higher end model or just steer clear of Cheap Trek's because I've been happy with my Madone but this one was a train wreck!

Strengths: Great suspension. Good fit. Tight ride. Fast and responsive. Great value. Love the soft grips.

Weaknesses: none

Bottom Line:

Ok - so take my opinion with a grain of salt...Riding this bike is a religious experience!! I came from a 1990 rigid Giant atx780 all XT- which I loved, My LBS promised me that the new components are so advanced I would not miss my XT - they were so right!! Super pleased with SRAM X7. Bought the bike in December 2011. Got a great price since it was a close out. Quick turning, light, fast. I was considering the Rumblefish - love it and it is a great bike, but I am happier with the faster turning more racy HiFi. It fakes DH and endure well enough for me and is truly a XC bike which is what I was looking for. You can't go wrong with this ride.

Bought this just over a month ago as a leftover from last year (2011). I'm a bigger guy at 6'1" 280lbs and I managed to destroy to hubs real fast but the trek dealer upgraded me to the Bontrager rhythm pro and it seems to me working well. Overall the bikes great and I've been getting a hell of a workout!

Strengths: Solid build, excellent shifting, nimble for a 29er, all out blast to ride

Weaknesses: Too much fun to ride

Bottom Line:

The bike goes where I want it to go when I want it to go there. It does everything well. Granted, you can get a better bike for more money, but if you just like to hit the trails on the weekends or want a reliable bike for some local MTB races, this bike will do just fine. The HiFi Plus is excellent for someone who wants a nice full suspension 29er. It has helped me save energy on root covered trails and I can ride 2+ hours on it without any issues. My friend can still outrun me on his Superfly, but he has a much more difficult time doing it now. I would recommend this bike to any friend of mine. It is by far my best purchase to date.

I've been riding the bike for a couple weeks now and am very pleased with the purchase. The combination of 29 in. wheels and full suspension make conquering any cross country trail easy. I'm able to go 30% farther without getting tired compared to my old 26 in. hardtail. My only complaints are it is difficult to mount on a bike rack due to the horizontal position of the rear shock and the paint job scratches easily. I've already got well worn in scratch marks where the shift cables rub on the front down tub.

Related HiFi Plus Forum Posts

My LBS has had this bike since 2011, I guess they never moved it as it is a 23" frame. Fits me perfect. Well I put it on layaway earlier this week. I got it for 1300 bucks new instead of the list of 2199.00, I still see used ones for 14 and 1500. Anyway I super excited and can't wait to pay this off ... Read More »

Hello,
I just purchased a left over 2011 HiFi Plus from a local Trek store. They prepped the bike while I waited for it and set the pressure of the fork (Reba RL) to 115 psi. I road the bike around the parking lot and everything seemed fine. I get the bike home and ride around the house and on so ... Read More »

I am getting one of these two bikes, and realize that they are very similar in most regards. The 2012 is $400 more. Is it worth getting the 2012?
The frame is slightly different on the 2012, I think it also has slightly lighter rims. 2012 has elixir instead of Juicy brakes, and fox instead of r ... Read More »

Hi,
I'm looking to buy a new bike and I need some help. I'm trying to decide between two bikes that the local shops have on sale right now. The 2011 Trek HIfi Plus for 1799 or the Giant Trance X3 for 1750. Any thoughts? I could really use the help since I haven't bought a new bike in over 20 ... Read More »

Hows it going! Right now im in a tough decision of which 29er would be the better deal, price wise, component wise etc.
At my lbs they still have a 2011 trek hifi plus new on year end clearance for a total of 1800. Not used, not a return. The price is with tax included. Just rounded it even.
... Read More »